ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The UNC Asheville men's soccer team has been recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America for its work in the classroom. The announcement came from NSCAA organization last week.

The Bulldogs were given an NSCAA Team Academic Award for the 2011-12 academic year. Matt Kern's team GPA was 3.16 last year and was one of just four schools from the Big South to be recognized by the NSCAA. The award goes to teams that maintain a GPA over 3.0 for an academic year.

Junior defender Bobby Castro highlighted the Bulldogs performance in the classroom as he was named as one of 11 student-athletes named to the Capital One Academic All-District 3 Men's Soccer Division I team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) earlier this month.

The Cary, N.C. native is majoring in health and wellness and has a 3.85 GPA. He has been on the Big South Presidential Honor Roll for two straight years and four times has been selected to the Athletic Director's 3.0 & Above Club.